Looking for the cheap High-CRI thrill

Ever since I got my D4 with XPL-Hi-s I was thinking that I am lacking something in my life. I stayed away from High-CRI LEDs because of their considerably lower output. Now, I want to at least experience some of the High-CRI goodness so many people are talking about.

To do this, I am looking for a way to test a few High-CRI emitters without breaking the bank. So, either something the sub-10$ or at least 10$ range (I haven’t found a light with High-CRI emitters fitting that price range), with free shipping. Or something I could sell again without making too much of a loss (I am from Austria/Europe and shipping is often too expensive to make reselling a valid option though). Just having emitters and a light where i can very easily swap them could be an option too. I don’t know. Multi-emitters would be harder I guess.

Specifically I want to test the following options (I have to say, I hate light that is too orange. 3000K is a no-go for me):
Nichia 219B (dunno which one, probably don’t have a choice anyway)
Nichia 219C (dunno which one, probably don’t have a choice anyway)
SST-20 95CRI 4000K (I think they are only available in 3K or 4K?)
Other suggestions(?)

Any ideas on how to test multiple of those emitters while having to pay the least? Maybe there are even flashlight people in Austria willing to show me their goodness in person, but I am quite new and don’t know anyone.

The only one I know in this price range is this:

https://www.banggood.com/Astrolux-A01-Nichia-219B-102LM-AAA-Mini-Waterproof-Keychain-EDC-LED-Flashlight-p-1026854.html?rmmds=category&ID=224&cur_warehouse=CN

And there is probably a coupon code to bring this down to $8.

Convoy recently released an SST-20 and 219C S2. They’re very reasonably priced.

You can get the Sofirn C01 for 6.5$ with free shipping using BLF discount which use beautiful high CRI Yuji LED and you can choose between 3200k or 5600k. The only downside is it only has a maximun output of 10 lumens but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying my C01 a lot. If you can wait, Sofirn will soon release the C01 pro ( i dunno if this is the actual name) with sst-20 led 4000K 95 cri and max output of 100 lumens. I will be definitely getting at least one of those.

Do you have any sort of P60 host like a Ultrafire WF-502B? If not they are $5. Then you can get a variety of high CRI dropins from Kaidomain for under $10 each.

That seems like a steal. There seems to be even a 15% BLF discount on it: 【convoy】Some items are unavailable during the 2024 New Year holiday.

10 Lumens is a little low for my taste and I guess I want something where I can get a brighter light at least. The second option sounds better but I guess I might give the S2+ deal a chance and just gift them to friends and family or try modding them if I don’t like it. If those are considered good choices for the HighCRI people oit there (I don’t know much LED about binning but it gets discussed in the thread I mentioned in the previous post).

I’m in the same boat! Currently deciding between the SST-20 and 219C S2+ that have been mentioned, but I’m still trying to figure out how the emitters really differ…

The SST-20 will throw slightly further than an XP-L HI, so it’s going to have a tighter beam than the 219C version. I’m unsure which will have a nicer tint.

Hi.
If you buy the ASTROLUX AO1 I doubt you will sell it again.
I have bought 6 so far. 2 for me. 4 x for friends.

It’d be one of the “nicest” looking shapes you can buy.
The round straight sided, mini or otherwise torches are ugly I think.
This HAS style. and blends nicely on keyring.
Battery Size AAA, or a 10440 Li-Po4 fits nicely. 3 levels on twisty.
Slightly taller than an 18650 cell and narrower.
On coupons here. I bought mine for around $7 ish each.

I have 4 Samsung LH351D 90Cri in my D4. Maybe these would be an option as well? Way more output and way less heat than 219b/c. They are floodier, but I don’t mind, because for me the D4 does not need to throw, I do have other lights for that use.

if you buy the astrolux a01 with 219c, make sure you google for the “pencil trick” to eliminate the next mode memory “feature” and make the light go back to first mode fast.

I got three to gift away last week. very friendly light. Thanks to the easy mod, it is awesome now. Good shape and friendly colors.

another cheap option is the BLF 348, also 219c, but it does not get as bright as the Astrolux A01, costs about the same. Is slimmer, tailclick, one mode only. It is really more a mini penlight than a keychain light.

Buy both!

Another cheap option to get the discontinued nichia 219b emitter would be the Nitecore MT06MD at bit more than 20 bucks… It is a 2xAAA penlight, always starts low at 3 lumen, then about 40 and high is 180.

Nice light!

for around 15-20$ you can also get a 18650 s2+ with nichia 219c from convoy as well.

but if you want cheap and high cri output and don’t want to spend much, you probably can just swap emitters on a light you already have. the samsung lh351d emitters at 4000k or 5000k are oftenly recommended these days and can be bought at arrow for a few bucks and free shipping.

A used incan maglite from ebay.
:person_facepalming: :stuck_out_tongue:

Or the BLF 348, the gift box version is still available for 9 dollar. It used to be cheaper but it is still a very nice flashlight for the price. Mind just one mode of 50 lumen and not prepper-level waterproof.
https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_554388.html?wid=1433363#goodsDetail

That’s the highest CRI there is.

I ended up recommending this one, being on sale put it right in the range she was willing to spend.

Wurkkos fc11

Thanks for the info!